A bid to register Bath's historic city centre hospital as a public asset has been rejected.

Bath and North East Somerset Council has turned down the Asset of Community Value application which sought to stop The Min - the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases - from falling into the hands of private developers.

The Bath Preservation Trust (BPT) has been informed by the local authority of its decision, which the trust had been expecting by Monday (September 4).

The National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, also known as The Min

Under the Localism Act 2011, which took effect in 2012, an Asset of Community Value allows community groups six months to put together a bid to buy the property themselves.

The trust received a letter from the council's divisional director of strategy and performance, David Trethewey.

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The letter read: "We have concluded that there is insufficient evidence that it [The Min] furthers social wellbeing of the local community and that it lacks evidence of use by local groups.

"It is accepted in principle that a hospital is eligible to be nominated. However it was not demonstrated that the healthcare usage at the hospital promotes social wellbeing to the community as a whole, as well as providing direct health benefits to patients.

"Some evidence was provided that shows the historical context of the healthcare provision is promoting social identity in the World Heritage City. However this is not considered sufficient grounds for the council to be satisfied that it promotes social wellbeing."

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In response the trust said it was "very disappointed in this decision."

The trust has no right to have the decision reviewed.

The trust statement continued: "We will continue to campaign for the existing public assets within The Min (the museum and archives, the Roman Mosaic and the paintings which tell a significant story of Bath’s history) to remain within public ownership and/or publicly accessible; for there to be an element of public access and public benefit in whatever development comes forward for this historic building; for the development plans fully to respect both the listed status and the scheduled ancient monument designations; and for any new owner to recognise the central role of The Min to the history of the city.

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"We would urgently encourage the council to bring forward a development brief for the site which takes into account all of the above matters in advance of any developer putting forward a planning application."

Caroline Kay is the chief executive of Bath Preservation Trust

The BPT had been part of discussions which suggested The Min could be used for Bath Spa University’s fashion and textiles department, a new home of the Fashion Museum, all while offering a potential hotel.